In 1515, Francis succeeded his cousin Louis XII, who died without a male heir. That year, the young widow of Louis XII, Mary Tudor, resided at the Hôtel de Cluny. Fearing that she would give birth to a son who could take his place on the throne, Francis kept her under surveillance. He found her in a romantic relationship with the Duke of Suffolk, her military attaché. After being married, the two were sent to England.[1]

In Leonardo da Vinci's later life, Francis offered da Vinci a mansion in Amboise to spend the rest of his years. After da Vinci passed away in 1519, Francis falsely claimed to have been on his deathbed when he drew his last breath, while truthfully da Vinci's friends Ezio Auditore da Firenze and Niccolò Machiavelli were there when he passed away. When Ezio heard of the rumor from Machiavelli, he stated that "Some people - even Kings - will do anything for publicity".[2] Beginning in 1546, Francis had the Louvre expanded and improved.[1]